ISRO Set to Launch Aditya-L1 Solar Mission on September 2, Aiming to Study the Sun

New Delhi, August 26, 2023: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch its Aditya-L1 solar mission, scheduled for September 2, following the successful lunar lander venture.

The Aditya-L1 spacecraft, aimed at studying the Sun from an orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point (L1), will carry seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere, and outer layers of the Sun’s corona in various wavebands.

Aditya-L1, India’s first dedicated space mission for solar observations, is a collaborative effort involving national institutions. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune, have contributed payloads to the mission. The spacecraft, which arrived at ISRO’s Sriharikota spaceport two weeks ago, will be placed in a halo orbit around the L1 point, providing continuous and unobstructed views of the Sun.

“The launch will most likely take place on September 2,” an ISRO official confirmed.

The Aditya-L1 mission has vital scientific objectives, including studying the dynamics of the solar upper atmosphere, investigating coronal heating and mass ejections, and observing in-situ particle and plasma environments. By utilizing the unique perspective of the L1 point, the mission aims to enhance understanding of solar phenomena and their impact on space weather.

“The suits of Aditya L1 payloads are expected to provide crucial information to understand the problem of coronal heating, coronal mass ejection, pre-flare and flare activities and their characteristics, dynamics of space weather, propagation of particle and fields, etc,” ISRO explained.

With its advanced instruments tuned to observe the solar atmosphere, Aditya-L1 is poised to contribute to key scientific advancements related to the Sun’s behavior, magnetic fields, coronal heating mechanisms, and more. Through this mission, ISRO aims to further India’s space capabilities and deepen our understanding of the solar dynamics that influence space weather.